I lit another cigarette, which took more than a little effort considering the weather. The wind was picking up and someone's hat flew past me in the rain. I wondered who might have owned it and how much it meant to them to have lost it to the storm. In the meantime, Marci had taken the saddle out of the back of her truck and gone into the house.

I wasn't sure if it was her voice I heard or if it was only in my imagination. The wind and the rain were growing more fierce and they were known to play tricks with the audio track that runs constantly while we live our little lives.

Not having any idea what she was talking about, I shook my head and offered to help. She told me to inspect the driveway while she frantically attacked the upholstery of her truck. We searched for over an hour, the rain beating down without pause. My clothes became one with my body. I wanted a drink. I wanted to throw myself in front of a fire to take away the ever deepening chill. The wind blew a stray lawn ornament across my path. A stone in the driveway did not agree with the ornament and redirected its trajectory into my face. I jumped back, wounded, and fell against the side of the truck.

"Are you okay?"

It was out of character for Marci's voice to carry so much concern. She had to have seen the event as it happened. I shrugged and rubbed the side of my face where I had been injured. Blood and rain melded together to create a uniquely stinging pain. I shook it off and insisted on continuing the quest.